Chambana Sun

Illinois secured a 24-6 win over Maryland at Gies Memorial Stadium, marking its second consecutive victory and improving its season record to 7-3 overall and 5-1 at home.

Quarterback Luke Altmyer led the team with two touchdown passes to wide receiver Hudson Clement and added 62 rushing yards. Running back Kaden Feagin contributed a rushing touchdown, his sixth of the season. Kicker David Olano added a 33-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.

Altmyer finished with 234 total yards, including 172 passing yards. With his performance, he tied Juice Williams for the second-most touchdown passes in Illinois history (56) and became the first Illini to have back-to-back seasons with at least 20 touchdown passes.

Clement recorded three catches for 72 yards and scored his second and third career touchdowns for Illinois. On defense, Matthew Bailey made ten tackles, while Gabe Jacas moved into a tie for second place in program history with 23 sacks after sharing a sack with Pat Farrell. The Illinois defense limited Maryland to six points and did not allow any points in the second half.

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema achieved his 35th win at Illinois, setting a new program record for victories by a head coach in their first five seasons, surpassing Mike White’s previous mark of 34 wins from 1980-84. The team is one win away from tying its record for most wins over a two-year period (18), last achieved in the late 1980s.

“Super excited to be a 7-3 football team, I know we wish we were 10-0 but those three setbacks we had to learn from. I thought they have done a good job. Kind of like last year, we've just got to keep sawing wood, we can only take advantage of today. We're a good football team that hopefully gets better every week and this weekend has been another step in the right direction,” said Bielema.

Bielema also highlighted contributions from running backs Ca'Lil Valentine and Kaden Feagin as well as offensive line play: “For me, personally, I think Ca'Lil Valentine just continues to take steps forward...I felt all along that those three running backs were pretty good but the way our offensive line played today was also pretty inspiring.”

On quarterback Luke Altmyer’s ability to improvise during games, Bielema stated: “He does a lot of crazy things...the good part is he's playing really good football and the bad part is that he's in his final phase of playing for us...Luke's ability to play down the stretch is a really big deal.”

Luke Altmyer reflected on using his mobility as part of Illinois’ offense: “Team effort, for sure...I'm a competitor, that's a tool that I have in my game. God's gifted me with great ability to run...that's what we're doing here late in the season because it's hard to win in this league in November.”

He also spoke about appreciating his remaining time with Illinois: “I'm just grateful and very thankful for my time here. I'm just trying to play well...me thinking ahead to what's next in the future...will only hinder me from playing my best football.”

Hudson Clement described both of his touchdowns: “Yeah, the first one was just a double-move...we figured an out and up would work...The other one was just a fake block for a screen...Luke threw a great ball again.”

Matthew Bailey commented on defensive identity: “Yeah, it's hard not to say tough, smart, dependable. I mean, it's what they preach all the time...We're trying to be tough in all phases…that kind of transitions into being smart…and then being dependable…”

Dylan Rosiek discussed how Illinois contained Maryland’s quarterback Malik Washington: “That's a great player…I think he could be really great…but when they did [try him on runs], you know we had answers there…”

With this win against Maryland—their third game this season holding opponents without an end zone touchdown at home—Illinois reached seven or more wins in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2010-11. The team has also accumulated notable Big Ten conference success under Bielema.

Illinois will face Wisconsin next week on the road; kickoff details will be announced later.